Charity in Islam
Charity in Islam refers to giving something to someone for the sake of Allah and with the hope of receiving it in the Hereafter. Charity increases the present and hereafter virtues, honor, and glory of the giver. Therefore, charity should be given carefully with respect, dignity, and respect. Charity should be handed to the recipient with respect and a pure heart. Relatives and neighbors should be given priority in Charity.
According to Quran-
"Indeed, the men who practice charity and the women who practice charity and [they who] have loaned Allah a goodly loan - it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward." (Al-Quran: 57:18)
"The example of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah is like that of a grain of corn that sprouts seven ears, and in every ear, there are a hundred grains. Thus Allah multiplies the action of whomsoever He wills. Allah is Munificent, All-Knowing." (Al-Quran - 2:261)
Most forms of charity are related to providing basic necessities such as food, water, clothing, healthcare, and shelter, but other acts can be performed as charity: visiting prisoners or house arrests, ransoming prisoners, educating orphans, and even social movements. Donating to causes that indirectly benefit the less fortunate, such as funding cancer research, is also charitable.
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Islam is a religion of peace and encourages every peaceful act. It is part of a Muslim's faith to help his religious brothers in any way possible. Charity reduces the gap between rich and poor. This allows wealth to circulate throughout society rather than being held in just a few hands. It is a means of attaining spiritual happiness and divine love. Islam declares charity as a way to sanctify your wealth. In Islam, charity is not helping others but helping ourselves. In return, Allah has promised to give us tenfold or more. Islam binds all Muslims of the world to one Kaaba, thus making it obligatory to help each other. Not only Muslims, but Islam also preaches to help all the needy and destitute irrespective of religion, and caste.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) emphasized the importance of charity in Islam in various places in the hadith:
"The shadow of a believer on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity." [Al-Tirmidhi]
Importance of charity in Islam
Charity is an important act of worship in Islam. A donation has many virtues. Prophet (saw) has highlighted these virtues in the hadith. Those who give in secret, Allah Almighty will give them shade and peace under the Throne on the Day of Resurrection. Charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire. Charity saves from hellfire. There is much other importance of charity. In the description of the hadith-
i. Sadaqah expiates sins
It is atonement for sin. It has been mentioned in the hadith-
Hazrat Huzaifa (RA) narrates, One day Omar Ibnul Khattab (RA) said, who among you remembers the Hadith related to fitna/sedition from the Messenger of Allah, may God bless him and grant him peace? Huzaifa (RA) said, I said, I remembered it exactly as the Messenger of Allah, may God bless him and grant him peace, said. Umar (RA) said you were very daring (in questioning the Messenger of God, May God bless him and grant him peace), (say) how did he say? He said, I said, (the hadith is) - People will fall into sedition with their families, children, and neighbors, and prayer, charity, and good deeds will remove that sedition... (Bukhari 1435)
ii. Blessings of wealth
Allah says-
"Then whoever gives charity and fears Allah and takes good words as truth, I will give him the means of peace. And whoever is miserly and careless and disbelieves in good words, then I will provide him with furniture for painful things." (Surah Al-Layl: Verses 5-9)
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Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Prophet (saw) said, “Every morning two angels descend. One of them said, O Allah! Give the giver a good reward for his charity and the other says, O Allah! Destroy the miser. (Muslim 1010, Bukhari 1442)
iii. Protection from the horrible death
Hazrat Anas Ibn Malik (RA) narrated that Prophet (saw) said, “Charity lessens the displeasure of Allah Ta’ala and prevents an ignominious death.” (Tirmidhi 664)
iv. The shadow of Allah's throne
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah, May Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "On the day when there will be no shade except the shade of Allah (the Throne), Allah will shelter seven types of people under that shade. Among them-
"One who gives charity in secret in such a way that the left-hand does not know what his right hand gives.”... (Bukhari 1423)
v. Enter through the special gate of Paradise
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah, May Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Whoever spends in the cause of Allah, he will be called from the gates of Paradise, O servant of God! This is good. So the one who prays, he will be called from the door of prayer. The Mujahid, he will be called from the door of Jihad. Whoever fasts will be called from the Rayyan door. The sadaqah giver will be called from the gate of sadaqah. Then Abu Bakr (RA) said, O Messenger of God! May my parents be sacrificed for you, there is no need to call anyone from all doors, but should anyone be called from all doors? The Messenger of Allah, May Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "I hope you will be among them." (Muslim 1027, Bukhari 1897, Ahmad 7637)
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